March is Women's History Month, a time to honor the woman who have made noteworthy contributions to our lives. Last year I chose to celebrate it by acknowledging a woman each day that personally affected me. They are politicians and pioneers, parents and performers. Some were the right voice or inspiration at the right moment, while others influenced me for decades.
For 2024, I hope that you'll join me in reflecting on the women who held those qualities for you. Some of you may have a short list that won't span a month, while others will have more than 31 to consider. Neither matters. My intent is to take you back in time to reflect on these women. Recollect them. Ponder just who you may be or not be today without their intersection into your realm.
2023 was the first year I did this. I was motivated by two things. The first was the passing of some female influencers in my life, primarily from aging. They were mostly women that I had kept in touch with, and knew how much I appreciated them. They also included women I would never meet, but whom had a similar level of influence.
The second reason evolved from the first. Why not use this focused month to publicly give them their due, at least from my perspective. Most of these women will never have a Wikipedia entry, or appear in a Google search. But they all are page one names in my life, and if you're going to read my blogging or social media information, then you're going to see posts about them, too. They are and have been elements of who I am, woven snugly around my DNA.
So, to recap. Women's History Month is March 1-31. Start your list before then of the women that matter or have mattered to you. Affected your thoughts, ideas and the way you influence others. Then, starting or on March 1st, begin acknowledging them in your own way. If you're going to stick to one day, consider making it March 8th, International Women's Day.
I'm looking forward to hearing your stories about their stories.
